There's been a lot of buzz surrounding the Final Fantasy X/X2 Remaster lately, with fans taking sides on whether they love or loath the changes made to the original games. Some enjoy the remastered soundtracks, others hate them. Some are smitten with the revamped visuals, others not so much.

Since Leah B. Jackson and I are the biggest Final Fantasy X fans in the office (see my blog header for reference), we decided to film a conversation where we compare and contrast the different versions of X and X-2, as well as discuss what changes we're most excited about and what changes worry us.

If you've been following IGN's awesome coverage of E3 this year, you know there were a LOT of announcements RPG-wise. In case you were overwhelmed by all the news pouring in, I thought it might be useful to round it all up here (just click on any of the links below to read up on your most anticipated role-playing games). Be sure to check out the trailers as well; some of these games look amazing. (Also, please be sure and thank all the IGN editors and the IGN video team. They did a fantastic job covering all this craziness!)

Later I'll try and write up my impressions of E3 and the RPGs I got to play there, so stay tuned!

With all these epic games coming out I've been listening to a lot of epic soundtracks lately. It always seems though that half of them are Boss Fight themes because...well, they're awesome!

Epic boss has epic battle music.

I'm always on the lookout for songs I've somehow missed over the years, and I love reaching out to the MyIGN community, so feel free to help me come up with a list of the best Boss Fight themes in gaming history!

I'll get the ball rolling with a few of my personal faves (in no particular order):

Another Tokyo Game Show has come and gone, which means it's time to sit back and contemplate the big stories. There was a lot of JRPG action this year, so if you're like me and an RPG fanatic, there was a lot to see and think on. Here's a quick rundown of the biggest RPG titles showcased in downtown Edo Tokyo, and my thoughts on each one.

I'm not going to lie: Although I enjoy Miyazaki movies, I've never really liked the art style of Studio Ghibli. I've always found it unsettling and ...kind of ugly. (THERE, I SAID IT!) However, there's no denying that Ni no Kuni features gorgeous water-colored style animation and an interesting story, so I'm actually excited that it's coming to the US. It's Studio Ghibli's first foray into the world of video games, and it should be a unique experience. So if you've ever wanted to play a Miyasaki move like a game, Studio G. just granted your wish.

I have a confession: I've never played a Suikoden game. They've just never appealed to me. However, it looks like the series is coming to Next-Gen systems with a bang, and although not much is known about it, it's certainly piqued my interest.

I liked Final Fantasy: Four Heroes of Light actually, so if I ever get a 3DS I'll probably enjoy FF: Four Heroes of Light 2 Bravely Default. The graphics look nice, the characters look cute and the gameplay fun. Will keep an eye on this one.

Don't have much to add about this oddball RPG, except that it's looking pretty good for the most part. It kind of looks like a mix of Monster Hunter and Demon's Souls, but I could be wrong. In any case, something to look forward to in 2012.

Final Fantasy X HD

I love Final Fantasy X and have been pouting that my PS3 doesn't have backwards compatibility. So this is a huge win for me! A vivified Spira sounds amazing, and I would love to see some of the more memorable cutscenes in HD glory.

JRPGs for Android

Android has suffered from a lack of notable RPGs, but S/E's annoucement that the critically acclaimed Chaos Rings and Chrono Trigger is coming to the iPhone's rival is very welcome news! Alongside those two heavy-hitters, it was also announced that the first two Final Fantasy games and Crystal Defenders will also be making their way to Android devices. Nice.

Ys: Celceta no Jukai

Ys Vita (as I like to call it) is essentially a re-make of an older Ys game, yet plays like a direct sequel to Ys 7. Since the latter was quite popular (and quite pretty), I'm curious to try this game out.

For a long time I had zero interest in the game formerly known as Final Fantasy XIII Agito. A card-based JRPG? No thanks. But over the many years of its development the game has gone from something kiddy to something far more mature, and bit by bit it's rekindled my interest. I'll keep this one on my radar.

Persona 4 was amazing. Persona 4 on the Vita should be amazing. That is all.

Ragnarok Odyssey

I honestly know very little about this game, save that it sounds an awful lot like Monster Hunter. But it's for the PS Vita, and sure to be a (visual) treat.

Dragon Quest X

I have NO idea what to make of this game. When the developers proclaimed it would be more like Dragon Quest VIII than Dragon Quest IX, I was stoked. DQVIII was a near perfect game, a true cosmos of order and harmony (OK, that's a bit much). But it DID feature great characters, a great story, great music and great gameplay. So imagine my disssapointment (and utter confusion) to hear that the game requires you be online to play. Why? is this an MMORPG? What if I have a shoddy connection? Why can't I play the whole thing offline if I so choose? I'm really not sure what S/E is thinking here.

Beyond the Labyrinth

Not much of this game is known yet, but so far it looks pretty cool.

Kingdom Hearts 3DS

I don't like Kingdom Hearts so I don't care, but I'm happy fans of the series have SOMETHING to tie them over until S/E decides to announce Kingdom Hearts 3.

Dungeon Hunter: Alliance

I'm not really interested in traditional dungeon crawlers, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled and ears to the ground just in case good things come out of this game.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2

Pass.

Fire Emblem 3DS

I've only played one Fire Emblem game. No, wait. That was Breath of Fire. Never mind, I've NEVER played a Fire Emblem game. But if you like the series and own a 3DS, no doubt you'll want to get this game. ;p

Phew! Alright, team. What future JRPGs are YOU looking forward to?

** You may have noticed that a major title was left off the list. Final Fantasy XIII-Versus, announced nearly six years ago was conspicuous by its absence leaving me to wonder: is it too big to fail? It seems like it. With the mass exodus of people from S/E over the past several years, I'm wondering if they're losing their way and the game is suffering for it. But hopefully Versus is on track and will be ready to go next year.

Sure, there are only thirteen games in the main series and a handful of spin-offs, but it’s still hard to choose which soundtracks should be where on this list. So, after listening to them over and over again on Youtube, I’ve come up with my top ten favorite Final Fantasy soundtracks (not to be confused with my Top Ten JRPG Composers article from a couple of years back—a list I still proudly defend). Feel free to make your own Top Ten list in the comments section below.

10) Final Fantasy II

Despite being one of the oldest (and weakest) games in the series, Final Fantasy II still has some beautiful and memorable pieces. I love the stoic elegance of the Rebel Army theme, he epicness that is Castle Pandemonium and the mystery of Magician’s Tower.

9) Final Fantasy V

Final Fantasy V is pretty far back on my list of favorite FF games (only FFVIII and II are behind it) but the soundtrack has a few gems in it, including The Four Warriors of Dawn, Dear Friends and Ahead On Our Way. It’s actually one of the more haunting Final Fantasy soundtracks, demonstrated by Fate in Haze, Reminiscence and Beyond the Deep Blue Sea. Not too keen on the game, but I do enjoy the soundtrack.

8 Final Fantasy XIII

Some of you might be startled to see this game on the list, but don’t think my bitter disappointment in this game extends to the soundtrack. I’m a huge Masashi Hamauzu fan (he did the soundtracks Sigma Harmonics, Musashi and Saga Frontier 2) and so I was stoked that he was doing the soundtrack for XIII. I love listening The Vestige, The Archylte Steppe and Sulya Springs. They’re magical tracks that bring a smile to my face, and of course it’s hard not to rock out to Desperate Struggle and Blinding Light. XIII might end up being one of the more despised FF games, but there’s no denying the soundtrack is one of the best.

7) Final Fantasy III

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Legend of The Eternal Wind! It’s one of my favorite openings for a Final Fantasy game ever! And I’m always charmed by Water Maiden, excited by the Boss Battle theme, and entranced by Boundless Ocean. FF III may have been a bit light on story, but not on music.

6) Final Fantasy IX

I really enjoyed Final Fantasy IX. The problem is I barely remember what the game was about. I do however remember the soundtrack, which is why it’s in my top five. Uematsu mixes tudor period sounds with a bit of steampunk to create one of the catchier and more memorable soundtracks in Final Fantasy history. How can you not love Out of The Frying Pan, Vivi’s Theme, Vamo Alla Flamenco and of course, Melodies of Life? You can’t. These songs are just too amazing not to love.

5) Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII is one of those games that people seem to love or hate. I for one hate it. And I HATE Riona. She just annoys the *bleep* out of me. But the soundtrack is arguably one of Uematsu’s best. In fact, I will make the following declarative statement: Libari Fatali is his best piece. Ever. It’s an ambitious, amazing track that gives me the chills whenever I hear it. Of course, Don't Be Afraid, The Man with the Machine Gun and Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinose are also big songs. Add Eyes on Me which is the best of the vocal themes of any FF game to the mix and you've got yourself a winner.

4) Final Fantasy X

I love this soundtrack. I used to play it over and over and over again in my car or in my room (and still sometimes do). It’s a great mix of emotional, playful, exciting and intense. To Zanarkand is one of the most iconic opening themes of any Final Fantasy game, and everything from Besaid Island to A Dream That Will End Sometime is memorable. Love it. Love it. Love it.

3) Final Fantasy VII

Fact: If you’ve never teared up listening to Aerith’s Theme, you are a monster and you have no soul. And if you write off One-Winged Angel as the world’s most over-hyped song, then you must not have played this game when it first came out. Because WOW did that theme blow me away when I was young. In fact, it still does. These two pieces are not the only reason that the soundtrack is in the top three, however. You gotta love The Bombing Mission, Costa Del Sol, Cosmo Canyon, The Gold Saucer…I could go on and on. Also, Final Fantasy VII has the best victory fanfare mix of any of the games in the series. So cool.

2) Final Fantasy VI

Oh, Kefka. You hilarious, crazy, nihilistic clown. I always wanted to join your cult and its awesome conga line. Alas, I had to make due with listening to cult’s haunting “Fanatics” track. Not that I minded. It’s one of the best tracks in the game. Not quite as jaw-droppingly awesome as Dancing Mad (a seventeen minute love letter to Final Fantasy’s greatest villain), Terra’s Theme, Battle to the Death or Cyan’s Theme, but still a great track. And let’s not forget to give a shout out to Aria de Mezzo Carattere, a piece that instantly turned a generation of gamers into opera lovers, even if for a brief moment. Thank you Uematsu, for giving us all a taste of the cultured life.

1) Final Fantasy IV

Final Fantasy IV over VII? Final Fantasy IV over VI? Yes, twenty years after I played the original Final Fantasy IV (then known as FF II in the US) this soundtrack still reigns supreme. There’s not ONE piece in the game I don’t love. In fact it’s hard for me to choose just a few. How can you deny the beauty of Theme of Love, Land of Summons or Troian Beauty? How do you not find yourself on the edge of your seat with Dreadful Fight, Zeromus, Theme of Suspicion or Escape? How do you not get chills listening to Golbez Clad in Dark or Dancing Calobrena? How do you not smile while listening to Mystic Mysidia, Giott the Great King or Big Chocobo?” Final Fantasy IV is my favorite JRPG of all time, and Final Fantasy IV is my favorite game soundtrack of all time.

*Final Fantasy Tactics

Honorable mention goes to FF: Tactics. Tactics is a complex game full of complex characters, and thus deserves a layered and nuanced soundtrack. Someone delivers just that with themes like The Desert Land Battle and Antipyretic, which really add to the solemn atmosphere of this intense game. Other favorites include Ovelia’s Theme and Brave Story.